ANGELINA JOLIE AND GEORGE CLOONEY TO STAR IN MARILYN MONROE MOVIE

Yet another Marilyn Monroe movie is in the works, but this one appears to be the biggest one yet.  Angelina Jolie and George Clooney are said to be "definites" according to The Guardian in a film adaption of Andrew O'Hagan's novel The Life and Opinion of Maf The Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe. 

Why the name Maf, you ask?  It is the stuff of legends that Frank Sinatra (to be played by Clooney) bought Monroe (Jolie) the White French Poodle as a gift and her name was chosen because of Sinatra's ties to the Mafia.  The dog was under the care of Monroe for two years before she passed away, before Maf was given to Sinatra's secretary Gloria Lovell.

Count this as the third film to begin production about the iconic figure.  Michelle Williams, currently in Toronto, is tapped to star in My Week with Marilyn, while Naomi Watts is also set to begin work on Blonde, both listed now as being in Pre-Production.  Somebody better start investing some stock in Clairol and L'Oreal as we can expect the return of The Blonde very soon!

NAOMI WATTS AS MARILYN MONROE

I've told you time and again that Sydney-cum-New York native Naomi Watts is well on her way to becoming Hollywood's hottest actress and it's happening right before our eyes.  She has just signed on to star in Blonde, based on a novel which imagines the life of iconic Marilyn Monroe.  Filming is set to begin January 2011 and the project will be directed by Andrew Dominik who brought us The Assassination of Jesse James (no, not Sandra Bullock's shamed ex!) by the Coward Robert Ford.  Another amazing actress Michelle Williams, is also tapped to play the iconic Blonde this September when production begins on My Week With Marilyn from The Weinstein Co.

Watts does drama beautifully with her understated elegance and has the emotional depth to pay tribute to such a complex figure. Monroe lived a glamorous yet very tortured life and Watts is right at home in these types of roles.  Who wouldn't want to see this juicy goodness?

So let's do a quick tally: Watts has an early Oscar contender in Fair Game (opposite Sean Penn), You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (Woody Allen), Toronto-shot Dream House (opposite Daniel Craig) and now this plum role lined up to keep her in the spotlight for the next while.  She owes her Agent a raise as she's sure come a long way since having to borrow money from Nicole Kidman to pay her rent.  Well done.  (Photo credit: Black Book Magazine)